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Donald Trump and his White House have blasted “Fake News” journalists and negative polls as the president tries to quell Americans’ concerns about affordability.
“Affordability, just 13 months ago, was a DISASTER for the American People, but now, it’s totally different!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday, adding, “When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?”
A new AP-NORC poll found that Trump’s approval rating on the economy has declined substantially since March. Now, 31 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling the economy, while 67 percent disapprove.
The White House has also continued its scrutiny of the media with an AI-generated video of Santa Claus looking at a “Naughty List” of journalists from MS Now, CNN, CBS News, Axios, The Bulwark and even the conservative publication the New York Post.
“The Fake News just earned a spot on the naughty list. No gifts. Just receipts,” the video was captioned.
Trump went to Pennsylvania earlier in the week to convince voters that his economic agenda was working. During the rally, he said, the word affordability is a “hoax” created by Democrats.
Conservative activist group claimed Trump would pull federal funding if Indiana redistricting effort failed. A White House official said that’s not the case.
Conservative activist group Heritage Action said earlier Thursday, “President Trump has made it clear to Indiana leaders: if the Indiana Senate fails to pass the map, all federal funding will be stripped from the state.
“Roads will not be paved. Guard bases will close. Major projects will stop. These are the stakes and every NO vote will be to blame.”
Jasmine Wright, White House correspondent for NOTUS, said when she asked a senior White House official about Heritage Action’s claim, they said, “Never heard POTUS say that or direct it.”
The Indiana state Senate ended up rejecting the new congressional maps that Trump pushed for.
Rachel Dobkin11 December 2025 23:10
Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from ICE custody after judge’s orders as he fights criminal charges
Thursday’s ruling from Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis ordered his release “immediately” as the Salvadoran immigrant continues to fight criminal charges brought by Donald Trump’s administration.
Alex Woodward11 December 2025 22:50
Watch: White House asks about bandages on Trump’s hand
Rachel Dobkin11 December 2025 22:30
White House quietly moves to get Senate confirmation for Lindsey Halligan
After a judge disqualified her from office and tossed out two of her politically charged cases against Donald Trump’s longtime foes, Lindsey Halligan is making another push to serve as a top federal prosecutor in Virginia, with support from the White House.
Halligan has submitted a questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will consider her nomination for U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia before a full Senate vote.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
Alex Woodward11 December 2025 22:15
Senate fails to advance bills to avert massive Obamacare premiums hike for millions of Americans
The two proposals included a Republican plan that would have morphed expiring federal subsidies that currently address those annual premium costs into payments to health savings accounts (HSAs) for Americans seeking to buy insurance, as well as a Democratic plan that would have extended those subsidies for two years.
John Bowden11 December 2025 22:00
Indiana’s redistricting effort fails
Indiana Republicans chose to vote against a Trump-backed measure to redistrict the state to help Republicans pick up more seats in the midterms.
The vote failed 19-31, despite pressure from the president to vote in favor of it.
Ariana Baio11 December 2025 21:52
ICE has hours until it needs to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia
ICE has until 5 p.m. to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from its custody. The White House has said the administration intends to appeal the order.
DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent that the judge’s ruling for his release is “naked judicial activism.”
“This order lacks any valid legal basis and we will continue to fight this tooth and nail in the courts,” she said. It does not appear that any appeal has been filed.
Alex Woodward11 December 2025 21:45
Trump to sign executive orders and congressional bills
President Donald Trump will sign congressional bills and executive orders at 4:45 p.m. ET, according to the White House schedule.
It is unclear at this time what the signings will be for.
Ariana Baio11 December 2025 21:20
White House caught flat-footed when asked how billionaire Trump can tell average Americans to limit kids’ Christmas gifts
With an estimated net worth of between five and seven billion dollars and a penchant for coating every surface in the White House with what he claims to be 18-karat gold leaf paint, President Donald Trump isn’t exactly an expert on cost-cutting.
But after the uber-wealthy ex-real estate developer claimed that record-high toy prices caused by his tariffs are just fine because young girls “don’t need 37 dolls” and can make do with “two or three” instead, his top spokesperson was left scrambling when asked to defend the eyebrow-raising remarks.
Andrew Feinberg11 December 2025 21:00
Watch: Barack Obama receives haircut from old barber during Chicago tripBarack Obama receives haircut from old barber during Chicago trip
Holly Bishop11 December 2025 20:45